BILLING IN PROGRESS Operation Cleareye

[Jay]

OPERATION CLEAREYE
Security Classification: TOP SECRET

SITUATION REPORT

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OVERVIEW OPLAN-CLEAREYE-REVISED / 2007 Classification: TOP SECRET – EYES ONLY Date: 01 FEB 2007 Originator: Chief of Naval Operations Distribution: Naval Mine Warfare Command, Underwater Defense Group, Amphibious Task Force Command, Joint Ops HQ Subject: Neutralization of MDM-2 Mines in the Black Sea I. SITUATION​ During the Coalition Intervention, the Russian Navy deployed 48 MDM-2 bottom influence mines at the head of the Bosphorus Strait as part of an anti-access denial operation. These were launched via submarine assets with positions secretly recorded. In the post-conflict phase, following a rapprochement with Moscow, the Russian Ministry of Defense has released the exact coordinates of the minefield to the Republic of Türkiye upon our requests. Operational Risks: Civil maritime traffic remains suspended within the zone. Environmental conditions: Moderate currents, depth ranges 30–70 meters. MDM-2 is designed with acoustic/magnetic influence fusing, resistant to sweeping via conventional mechanical means. Possible tampering or deterioration of fuzes due to prolonged submersion time. The Turkish Navy shall execute full-spectrum explosive neutralization of the 48 MDM-2 mines by means of: Trigger simulation systems (magnetic, acoustic, or pressure) to induce detonation remotely, Conventional underwater demolition charges, if the simulation fails or environmental factors interfere, Selective recovery of up to three (3) mines for post-operational analysis, contingent upon safety, fuse stability, and structural integrity. Operations will be conducted under sequenced, isolated conditions, ensuring no sympathetic detonation risk. Prepared by: Lt. Cmdr. Hakan Kalyoncu Naval Mine Warfare Command – Attached to Turkish Naval Staff Approved by: Admiral Adnan Özbal Chief of Naval Operations, Turkish Naval Forces

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BELLIGERENTS

BLUFOR	OPFOR
Republic of Türkiye Ayşe Çiller, Prime Minister Admiral Adnan Özbal, Chief of Naval Operations Overall Command: Vice Adm. Mustafa Zeki Uğurlu, Commander of Northern Fleet Tactical Control: Rear Adm. Ayla Demirtaş, Commander Mine Warfare Command Mine Trigger Team Lead: Capt. Yavuz Demiralp, Simulation Systems Group EOD Command Element: Col. Tolga Üstün, Underwater Defense Group,	Russian Federation

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ORDER OF OPERATIONS

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Northern Fleet

• FREMM Multipurpose Frigate
  • TCG Bodrum - D-602
    • x 145 Sailors
    • x 20 SAS Commandos - A Company
  • Fuel Reserves 100% Full marine diesel capacity, incl. aviation fuel (JP-5) for rotary-wing ops
    Food & Water 3-month supply Mixture of shelf-stable rations and fresh/frozen stores; desalination systems operational
    Medical fully stocked Surgical suite, trauma bay, medevac deck access, 2 medical officers onboard
    Maintenance Supplies Onboard Critical spares for propulsion, weapons, electronics; dry stores in aft hold
    • 1 x 76 mm Super Rapid gun
    • 3 x 20 mm Narwhal remote weapon systems
    • 16-cell SYLVER A43 VLS for Aster 15 air defense missiles
    • 16-cell SYLVER A70 VLS for MdCN cruise missiles
    • 8 x Exocet MM40 Block 2 anti-ship missiles
    • 2 x B-515 twin launchers for MU90 torpedoes
    • Héraklès multi-purpose passive electronically scanned array radar
    • CAPTAS-4 towed-array sonar
    • UMS 4110 CL hull-mounted sonar
• Aydin-class Mine Countermeasure Vessel
  • TCG Edincik - M-260
    • x 41 Sailors
    • x 15 SAS Commandos - A Company
  • Fuel Reserves 100% Full marine diesel capacity
    Food & Water 1-month supply Mixture of shelf-stable rations and fresh/frozen stores; desalination systems operational
    Maintenance Supplies Onboard Critical spares for propulsion, weapons, electronics; dry stores in aft hold
    • x 1 Marconi 2093 VDS mine hunting sonar
    • x 1 DRBN 32 navigation radar
    • x 2 Barricade chaff and flare launcher
    • x 1 30 mm gun
    • x 2 12.7 mm machine gun
    • x 2 PAP-105 Mk5 mine hunting system
    • mine diver equipment, decompression chamber
    • crane
  • TCG Edremit - M-261
    • x 41 Sailors
    • x 15 SAS Commandos - A Company
  • Fuel Reserves 100% Full marine diesel capacity
    Food & Water 1-month supply Mixture of shelf-stable rations and fresh/frozen stores; desalination systems operational
    Maintenance Supplies Onboard Critical spares for propulsion, weapons, electronics; dry stores in aft hold
    • x 1 Marconi 2093 VDS mine hunting sonar
    • x 1 DRBN 32 navigation radar
    • x 2 Barricade chaff and flare launcher
    • x 1 30 mm gun
    • x 2 12.7 mm machine gun
    • x 2 PAP-105 Mk5 mine hunting system
    • mine diver equipment, decompression chamber
    • crane
  • TCG Erdek - M-263
    • x 41 Sailors
    • x 25 SAS Commandos - C Company
  • Fuel Reserves 100% Full marine diesel capacity
    Food & Water 1-month supply Mixture of shelf-stable rations and fresh/frozen stores; desalination systems operational
    Maintenance Supplies Onboard Critical spares for propulsion, weapons, electronics; dry stores in aft hold
    • x 1 Marconi 2093 VDS mine hunting sonar
    • x 1 DRBN 32 navigation radar
    • x 2 Barricade chaff and flare launcher
    • x 1 30 mm gun
    • x 2 12.7 mm machine gun
    • x 2 PAP-105 Mk5 mine hunting system
    • mine diver equipment, decompression chamber
    • crane
  • TCG Alanya - M-265
    • x 41 Sailors
    • x 25 SAS Commandos - C Company
  • Fuel Reserves 100% Full marine diesel capacity
    Food & Water 1-month supply Mixture of shelf-stable rations and fresh/frozen stores; desalination systems operational
    Maintenance Supplies Onboard Critical spares for propulsion, weapons, electronics; dry stores in aft hold
    • x 1 Marconi 2093 VDS mine hunting sonar
    • x 1 DRBN 32 navigation radar
    • x 2 Barricade chaff and flare launcher
    • x 1 30 mm gun
    • x 2 12.7 mm machine gun
    • x 2 PAP-105 Mk5 mine hunting system
    • mine diver equipment, decompression chamber
    • crane

Underwater Defence Group "Alfa" & "Charlie"
each operator is equipped with

• Closed-Circuit Rebreather (CCR) Model: Dräger LAR V or similar + Oxygen Capacity: 2–4 hours at operational depths
• Bailout bottle with open-circuit regulator in case of CCR failure
• Suit Type: Dry suit with reinforced knee/elbow pads (Neoprene or trilaminate with thermal undergarments)
• Quick-release harness system
• Kevlar-reinforced gloves (for mine handling)
• Dive boots with non-slip soles
• Diver Navigation Board with magnetic compass, depth gauge, digital timer
• Wrist-mounted sonar display for near-field hazard detection
• Through-water acoustic comms system (e.g., AquaCom) with encrypted channel
• C4-based shaped charges (2–4 kg per diver), pre-rigged with non-electric detonation
• Demolition pods for mine attachment
• Shock tube or electronic delay fuse systems with programmable timers
• Lightweight non-magnetic tools: wrenches, screwdrivers, shears
• Detonator placement cradle with suction system
  Emergency Gear
• Miniature DSMB (Delayed Surface Marker Buoy) for emergency surface signaling
• Cutaway tool or dive knife
• Waterproof medkit pouch (basic trauma bandage, tourniquet, morphine auto-injector)
• Waterproof mission tags and QR-linked wrist IDs for tracking individual diver activity
• Head-mounted IR strobes for ROV and helicopter localization (only active post-mission or for emergencies)

23rd Squadron Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron
A Flight

• x 5 MH-60 Seahawk
  • x 5 AQS-20A Mine Detection System
  • x 5 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS)
• x 20 Crew & Pilots

B Flight

• x 5 MH-60 Seahawk
  • x 5 AQS-20A Mine Detection System
  • x 5 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS)
• x 20 Crew & Pilots

C Flight

• x 5 MH-60 Seahawk
  • x 5 AQS-20A Mine Detection System
  • x 5 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS)
• x 20 Crew & Pilots

D Flight

• x 5 MH-60 Seahawk
  • x 5 AQS-20A Mine Detection System
  • x 5 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS)
• x 20 Crew & Pilots

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CONFIDENTIAL MISSION OPERATION GİZLİLİKLE GÖREV OPERASYONU This document is classified and intended solely for official use within the Turkish Armed Forces. It contains sensitive operational details and is not to be viewed, shared, or disseminated outside of authorized personnel. Unauthorized access or distribution of this document is strictly prohibited. Please ensure the return of this document to the Turkish General Staff Building, located at Bakanlıklar, Çankaya, Ankara. ​

SECRET​ Concept of Operations (CONOPS):​ PHASE I – ZONAL MAPPING & MINEFIELD SEGMENTATION (D–2 to D–1)​ Divide minefield into six sectors (S1–S6) based on Russian coordinates, each containing 6–10 mines. Confirm inter-mine spacing to ensure no less than 200 meters of separation. Assign operational responsibility to Minehunter Teams Alpha through Foxtrot, supported by MH-60Rs and EOD divers. Establish live fire blast exclusion radius of 1.5 km per detonation zone. PHASE II – PRE-TRIGGER INSPECTION (D1–D3)​ Deploy A-Class Minehunters with ROVs to each sector to verify mine integrity and confirm orientation. Classify mines into categories: Category A: Stable, clear fuse, isolated—suitable for trigger detonation. Category B: Suspected degraded fuse, no tamper sensor—possible recovery candidate. Category C: Unstable casing, risk of secondary fire—detonate with conventional charges. Update mine status in Common Operational Picture (COP) database for command tracking. PHASE III – TRIGGER SIMULATION NEUTRALIZATION (D3–D6)​ Deploy LAMPS Mk III (MH-60R) or remotely controlled surface drones with mine signature simulators. Simulators configured to emit magnetic, acoustic, and low-pressure signatures emulating vessel profiles. Align approach vectors at standoff range, transmitting signal bursts for up to 90 seconds per mine. Monitor detonation via sonar and visual confirmation. Log timestamp, force vector, and hydrographic impact. PHASE IV – CONVENTIONAL DETONATION (D5–D9)​ For mines not triggered via simulation: Deploy Underwater Defense Group (SAS) divers or ROVs with demolition packs (C4-based shaped charges, 5–8 kg yield). Charges placed adjacent to trigger housings and configured for directional detonation downward into seabed. Each detonation is: Isolated by at least 250 meters, Sequenced in time by 2-hour intervals, Supported by surface perimeter patrols and recon drones for EOD overwatch. Detonation footage logged for archive and forensic review. PHASE V – SELECTIVE RECOVERY ATTEMPT (D8–D10)​ Based on classification from Phase II, attempt retrieval of up to 3 Category B mines using: ROV lift harness systems (low-shock, buoyancy compensated), Low-pressure airbag flotation arrays, Lift to specially designated cradle aboard TCG Akçakoca (Mine Warfare Tender). Mines secured in blast-resistant container for transport to Gölcük Naval Forensics Center. If recovery operation encounters instability or fuse interference, abort and detonate. PHASE VI – CERTIFICATION & REOPENING (D10–D12)​ Conduct full sonar sweep of each sector via overlapping ROV and hull-mounted systems. Certify sectors sequentially through visual inspection, detonation logs, and absence of residual metallic anomalies. Forward clearance maps and blast data to: Turkish Hydrographic Office, Maritime Transit Authority, Maritime traffic corridor reopens upon final approval from Naval Operations Command. IV. SERVICE SUPPORT​ Logistic Demolition stores stocked at Gölcük Naval Yard; replenishment via forward barge shuttle. Mine simulation modules (MASS-type) stored at Aksaz and shipped aboard minehunters. Maintenance and diagnostic teams aboard TCG Anamur (Mobile MCM Support Vessel). x 2 Medevac-configured MH-60Rs on 10-minute readiness. Diver psychological recovery cell activated post-operation. Digital synchronization via COMNET-F Secure with fleet integration Diver and ROV operations over UWT (Ultra-Wideband Tactical) Helicopter mission logs updated to FleetOps Net (LCS-certified) ANNEXES​ Annex A: Mine Coordinates and Trigger Categories Annex B: MASS Signature Emission Protocol Annex C: Detonation Blast Zone Overlay Charts Annex D: EOD Demolition Kit Loadout Annex E: Recovery Cradle Handling SOP Prepared by: Lt. Cmdr. Hakan Kalyoncu Naval Mine Warfare Command – Attached to Turkish Naval Staff Approved by: Admiral Adnan Özbal Chief of Naval Operations, Turkish Naval Forces

END OF DOCUMENT BELGENİN SONU​

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CAMPAIGN REGISTER

Operation	Objective	Status
Operation CLEAREYE – Phase I: Assembly	Assemble diving teams, ordnance technicians, support vessels, and logistics crews at Gölcük Naval Base; complete final pre-dive mission checks	Completed
Operation CLEAREYE – Phase II: Insertion	Deploy Underwater Defense Group divers and RHIBs to forward staging points; sub-surface infiltration to designated minefield sectors under cover of darkness	Completed
Operation CLEAREYE – Phase III: Site Survey	Conduct close-range sonar verification and physical inspection of MDM-2 mines; confirm trigger condition, structural integrity, and spacing for detonation sequencing	Completed
Operation CLEAREYE – Phase IV: Controlled Demolition	Employ remote or manual placement of shaped charges to safely neutralize confirmed mines; sequence detonations with 200–300m spacing to prevent sympathetic explosions	Active
Operation CLEAREYE – Phase V: Mine Recovery	Attempt selective recovery of 2–3 degraded MDM-2 mines for intelligence and technical assessment; secure forensics under controlled lift conditions	Active
Operation CLEAREYE – Phase VI: Extraction	Withdraw all dive teams and RHIBs; conduct personnel count, debriefing, and medical triage; re-secure perimeter for reopening of civilian maritime routes	Active

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[Jay]

The sea at Gölcük was black and glass-flat under the cloak of 0200 hours. Overhead, the stars had vanished behind a low marine fog that clung to the strait like a war-weary veil just as the operation planners had hoped. No satellites would catch clean shadows. No glint of steel would betray their position.

Along the southern quay, the RHIBs had already been unshackled from the davits and floated silently beside TCG Anamur, her grey flank half-absorbed by the night. The sleek black rubber of the boats seemed to breathe in the salt air, their .50 caliber mounts sheathed in tarps, unmanned.

Captain Tolga Üstün, commander of the Underwater Defense Group, stood at the edge of the platform with his arms crossed over his drysuit, watching the teams move with precision. There were no shouted orders. Each diver knew their sequence. Gear was checked twice, valves turned, pressure confirmed, and rebreather canisters locked.

The final man stepped into RHIB One and gave Tolga a thumbs-up. “Team Alpha, embarking,” crackled the comms unit clipped to the captain’s belt. He nodded to no one in particular.

“Confirmed,” he replied. “You’re clear to push.”

With the faintest churn of electric motors the RHIBs pulled away from the mother ship and disappeared into the mouth of the Bosphorus. Four craft total, two for each flank. The mines lay in a scattered field ahead, some only thirty meters down, others sunk deeper into clay beds, most armed with acoustic and magnetic triggers that made careless approach an invitation to vaporization.

Inside RHIB Two, Lieutenant Alp Serdar adjusted the settings on his wrist sonar. He hadn’t spoken much since leaving the ship. None of them had. The silence wasn’t fear it was ritual they had developed. The sea was peaceful and they intended to enjoy that till they arrived at their destination. Once a diver descended, words lost meaning anyway. The sea didn’t care for them.

At the designated drop zone, Sector Bravo, Grid 2-A, the RHIBs fanned out. The onboard beacon flashed once, and Alpha team slid wordlessly into the water. One by one, black shapes vanished beneath the surface, drawn into the cold void by weighted fins and breath control.

Below, visibility was poor. Silt drifted in vertical sheets, kicked up by currents moving westward through the channel. The divers advanced in a staggered formation, using hand signals to orient and sonar pings to triangulate the mine signatures provided by the Russian coordinates. The soundscape was eerie, with thumps, metallic clicks.

Then came the first sighting.

Mine #B-03. Depth: 34 meters. Identified by silhouette and magnetic signature. The image bloomed on the diver’s wrist screen, an oblong shape, corroded, half-sunken but unmistakable. A Soviet MDM-2.

Serdar approached with deliberate slowness, his heart rate steady. At 2 meters, he halted. The mine had not shifted. No biofouling near the fuse. He signaled to his dive partner. Survey OK. Hold.

From a small tool bag on his chest, he extracted a laser caliper and took three measurements, fuse cavity, casing crack, base sediment. Then, with his gloved hand, he waved a low-frequency trigger simulator wand in a gentle arc above the mine.

Nothing.

Good. The fuse was armed, but not hair-trigger.

They backed off in reverse crawl, leaving a transponder node to mark the site for demolition. Serdar made a silent count. One mine confirmed. Thirty-seven more to go.

Meanwhile, in Sector Delta, Team Bravo was less fortunate. The second mine they located—#D-09—was partially buried and vibrating subtly, as though already primed by currents or past sonar sweeps. The diver held position five meters back, watching it sway like a sleeping predator. No attempt at physical contact would be made. This one would be destroyed, not studied.

By 0700, all four teams had marked mines and returned to RHIBs. The surface was still a void, but the fog had thickened, wrapping the vessels in a shield of anonymity. One by one, they pulled up anchor and returned to TCG Anamur.

On deck, as the divers removed their gear in silence, Captain Üstün received the digital sitrep:

“9 mines confirmed, 6 tagged for demo, 3 potential recovery candidates. No contact, no drift, no casualties.”

Back on the TCG Bodrum in the forward combat intelligence compartment, a narrow, soundproofed room beneath the bridge of Bodrum, lit by red operational lighting and the glow of wall-mounted sonar displays. A schematic of the minefield rotated slowly on the central screen, overlaid with transponder tags and code names—#B-03, #D-09, #E-12.

The air still smelled of neoprene and salt from the divers' suits. Captain Tolga Üstün stood near the tactical plot, arms folded, watching the team file in one by one. Some were still damp at the collar.

“Alright,” he said, voice clipped. “Let’s get into it.”

Lieutenant Alp Serdar cleared his throat first. He leaned forward, placing a small waterproof datasheet on the desk between them.

“Six confirmed mines, Captain. We marked nine in total, but only six are solid tag-and-blow candidates. The other three are… unstable.”

“Unstable how?” asked Commander Ece Kaya, the ship’s operations officer, seated to Tolga’s right.

Serdar tapped the sheet. “#D-09 is lodged into a sediment trench and it is tilted forward, casing buckled, we think from pressure stress. There's audible resonance in the magnetic chamber. It’s… vibrating. Like it's receiving acoustic disturbance from the seabed or a prior detonation. Any physical tampering would be suicidal.”

Another diver—Petty Officer Ertan Yalçın, spoke next, still pulling off the Velcro of his gloves.

“#E-12’s fuse showed stress fractures near the detonation well. Saltwater erosion, maybe, or degradation from being underwater too long. If that thing's been rattling for a year, even a misaligned tool would cook us.”

Üstün remained silent, but his jaw tightened slightly. “Recovery?”

Serdar shook his head.

“We don’t recommend it, sir. With respect to Naval Intelligence, they wanted physical retrieval, but they weren’t the ones two meters from the detonator."

Kaya raised an eyebrow. “So you’re saying we scrap the recovery phase?”

“Yes,” Serdar replied carefully. “My recommendation: use standoff munitions. Depth charges. High altitude if you want a safety margin. Set to pressure-trigger at thirty-five meters. Clean and contained.”

Üstün glanced at Kaya, then back to his team. “What is your confidence level, Lieutenant? You saw it with your own eyes.”

Serdar straightened. “We’ve done everything short of poking them with a screwdriver, Captain. I trust my team’s eyes. Manual demolition is still viable, for most of the field. But recovery… no.”

Kaya exhaled through her nose and leaned back in her chair.

“We’ll relay the report to Command. Strike option will shift to aerial delivery, pending clearance. Thank you, gentlemen.”

The divers nodded and turned to leave. Before exiting, Serdar paused.

“Sir?”

“Yes, Lieutenant.”


“I think these weren’t laid for area denial. This was psychological. They wanted to scare the public and make them feel under pressure. "

Üstün looked at him for a long moment, then nodded, “Duly noted. Dismissed.”